Why are a lot of people who smoke marijuana/do psychedelics atheists?

[Purple Banana]

I certainly don't have a closed mind; I used to be Christian, but after some serious soul searching, I turned away from it. I live my life by my own rules, I have very few regrets, I respect people enormously, I'm very spontaneous, and I love learning about everything and anything- History, science, philosophy, medicine, physics, english, everything.

It is because I rejected the life that Christianity asked from me- the Bible as a set of rules, ect. and I find I maintain the general peace-emitting figure that Jesus is supposed to be, I simply believe he was a good role model and nothing more.

There are far too many confusing passages in the Bible that contradict, and I think following the Bible and rejecting everything else seems close-minded if anything else. I'm not saying all Christians are this way- most aren't, but I still like to have full individual freedom from worrying if I'm 'sinning' or not.

I can simply connect directly with an object without the middleman, ad appreciate it for what it is, not who made it, if anyone. I can have these feelings.

[phx123]

This discussing is also in another website (Rollitup), but it is posed "Do you believe in God? In poll form it was 29% yes, 19% higher power , not a Christian God, 29% no and 8 undecided. Its turned into a bunch of people trying to chane one another belief, with athiest giving links to big bang theories and such. I myself am a Christian, and i believe that growing has made me feel closer with God, and the earth I love it, its wonderful!!!

Yeah... basically I'm wondering how those that presumably have the same/similiar spiritual experience that I have with cannabis/psychedelic can just shrug off any spiritual meaning from it whatsoever. And for me that direct spiritual experience is DIRECTLY related to a higher power/God. It doesn't seem one can be spiritual and not believe in a higher power.. it almost seems like like a contradiction of sorts.

[Purple Banana]

Spirituality for me is more about being in tune with myself, my body, and my surroundings. It's just always been that way, I've never really felt a divine presence, and I'm just as happy without that higher power presence. Hard to explain, really. I grew up in a very scientific exploratory household, and I simply could not fathom the idea of everything being created and managed by any god. It just seemed unreasonable to me.

[phx123]

I can simply connect directly with an object without the middleman, ad appreciate it for what it is, not who made it, if anyone. I can have these feelings.

Interesting. That almost to me, seems like you're leaving out a part of what it is. When I do that, I cannot differentiate myself with the two. When I think of what it is, I think it is a creation, and thus who made it.. I get that immediate connection. It (nature for example), is simply too beautiful, too complex, too perfect to just be something that is basically nothing, just something that is and sporadically popped up with no significance.

[1puff2puff3puff]

Like you said PHX..some people arent willing to fully open their minds, i for one cant wake up every morning seeing a beautiful sun, and everything around it and not know that there is more to our existance. Purple, the Bible reads one way, people INTREPRET how ever they please some for personal gain some for power, what you need to do is find a person you can trust and have them break down the true meaning of Gods Word.

[phx123]

Spirituality for me is more about being in tune with myself, my body, and my surroundings. It's just always been that way, I've never really felt a divine presence, and I'm just as happy without that higher power presence. Hard to explain, really. I grew up in a very scientific exploratory household, and I simply could not fathom the idea of everything being created and managed by any god. It just seemed unreasonable to me.

Hmm... well I would consider being in tune with my self, body and having those direct connections with my surroundings a divine presence in and of itself.

[Unknown American]

Most pot smokers I have known in the past believed in god. I am an agnostic leaning towards the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

[phx123]

Like you said PHX..some people arent willing to fully open their minds, i for one cant wake up every morning seeing a beautiful sun, and everything around it and not know that there is more to our existance. Purple, the Bible reads one way, people INTREPRET how ever they please some for personal gain some for power, what you need to do is find a person you can trust and have them break down the true meaning of Gods Word.

Well, good point.
What do you think about this Purple Banana? Do you think if you cannot open your mind to something greater you are essentially closing your mind to this sort of thinking and having a closed mind about this?

[Purple Banana]

I simply don't associate those things with a god or higher power. That's just the way I am; people may argue my logic, but in the end, I'm still going to believe what I believe; and I wouldn't try to convince you towards my beliefs; if you feel the way you do, I'm all for it, but it seems like you said a more personal issue.

The point you're trying to get across it seems is that you're making the argument that I am close-minded when it comes to these types of issues; I am fully willing to hear others viewpoints on these sorts of things, and you could certaily be right, but after carefully reviewing each bit of information regarding religion, I have decided that my belief structure fits me best, and no other. It's not being close-minded, simply choosing the most personally reasonable idea.

[FUNKNUGGET]

Wow this is an excellent thread...


Anyways, I think the answer is quite simple: you see past the bullshit in life; god seems like an imaginary being (which he is, in my opinion)

I have always been an atheist... and many intense fungus trips confirmed that...

I havent tripped for a while, but I know I always have major epiphanies about my life whenever i indulge... I go into my own world, deep into my own mind where it is impossible to go without certain substances...